Tue, Aug 16, 2011
Early Step Towards STC For Three-Display Flight Deck
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) said in a news
release Monday that its Rockwell Collins Integrated Display System
(IDS) flight deck upgrade for the Beechcraft 1900D has completed
its first flight. This upgrade removes the factory installed Pro
Line II EFIS 84 system, as well as other analog instrumentation,
and replaces it with the fully integrated three-display Pro Line 21
IDS. The flight is one of the first steps in completing the
Supplemental Type Certificate for 1900D operators, providing
increased functionality and capability while reducing maintenance
costs and decreasing weight.
"As the Pro Line II system becomes obsolete, 1900D operators and
their maintenance crews are facing the challenge of locating a
viable retrofit solution for the aircraft," said Christi Tannahill,
Hawker Beechcraft vice president, GCS. "In most cases, there are
few, if any, alternative aircraft platforms that provide the
capabilities of the 1900D in environments in which these operators
fly. The Pro Line 21 IDS retrofit system was designed to provide a
solution for these operators."
The Pro Line 21 IDS enhances situational awareness at every
phase of flight, and for the 1900D, utilizes three large 10 x
8-inch liquid crystal displays. The Primary Flight Display combines
attitude, altitude, air speed and heading references with an
easy-to-read graphical interface. Its multifunction display enables
pilots to quickly reference information in order to facilitate
strategic decision making. The system incorporates the
industry-leading functionality and reliability of Rockwell Collins
Pro Line 21 avionics, enabling customers to benefit from continuous
technological advances to the Pro Line 21 system. With Pro Line 21
IDS, operators can add functionality as their needs evolve.
In addition to the reliability and weight-saving benefits
associated with this modern equipment, operating costs are further
reduced by including a two-year Rockwell Collins warranty. Known as
the Corporate Aircraft Service Program (CASP), the warranty covers
all existing Rockwell Collins equipment remaining in the aircraft.
With the CASP warranty, IDS-upgraded aircraft will incur virtually
zero avionics operating costs during the first two years after
installation. Potential savings are estimated at $25,000 to $30,000
for corporate aircraft while commuter aircraft may recognize
$100,000 per aircraft.
The flexibility of IDS enables it to interface with either
Garmin's GNS 400W or Universal's UNS1- LW WAAS/LPV-compliant flight
management systems. Other 1900D interface options include: APS-65
autopilot and third party TCAS, TAWS and lightning detection
systems.
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